The Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex is a dark nebula of gas and dust that is located 1° south of the star ρ Ophiuchi of the constellation Ophiuchus. At an estimated distance of 131 ± 3 parsecs, this cloud is one of the closest star-forming regions to the Solar System.

The bright blue reflection nebula at the top, IC 4604, is associated with the triple star, Rho Ophiuchi.  Antares (Alpha Scorpii) is surrounded by a yellow area of nebulosity, IC 4606. Antares is 60,000 times brighter than our sun, and is so large that its disc can be easily measured – if it were in our solar system it would almost reach to Jupiter.

Nikon d7000
Nikkor 180mm F/2.8 @ f/4.0
85x30s at iso 2000
45x120s at iso 1250
10x240s at iso 1250
Dates: March 14, 2013

Autor: Jan Curtis

AstroPhotography of the day by SPONLI

31 January 2014

We select the best works of amateur astrophotographers with details of equipment, shooting processing etc.